Neoplasms of the appendix
Updates to Article Attributes
There are a number of neoplasms that can involve the vermiform appendix, some of which are peculiar to this site.
Epidemiology
Tumours involving the appendix have been found in only about 1% of all appendectomy specimens 9. Epithelial neoplasms and neuroendocrine tumours represent the grossvast majority of the tumours affecting the appendix.
Clinical presentation
Symptoms may vary from patients being completely asymptomatic, such as in small benign neuroendocrine tumours, to a clinical picture of acute appendicitis, which is reported in ~40% of cases and is most commonly seen associated with neuroendocrine tumours 9.
Mucinous neoplasms can lead to abdominal pain, gastrointestinal obstruction, and abdominal distension when evolving to athe complication pseudomyxomaperitonei has developed.
Carcinoid syndrome related to malignant neuroendocrine tumours is rare, present in less than 5% of patients with this tumour.
-<p>There are a number of <strong>neoplasms that can involve the appendix</strong>, some of which are peculiar to this site.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Tumours involving the appendix have been found in only about 1% of all appendectomy <sup>9</sup>. Epithelial neoplasms and <a title="Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours" href="/articles/gastrointestinal-neuroendocrine-tumours-3">neuroendocrine tumours</a> represent the gross majority of the tumours affecting the <a title="Appendix" href="/articles/appendix">caecal appendix</a>. </p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Symptoms may vary from patients being completely asymptomatic, such as in small benign neuroendocrine tumours, to a clinical picture of <a title="Acute appendicitis" href="/articles/appendicitis">acute appendicitis</a>, which is reported in ~40% of cases and most commonly seen associated with neuroendocrine tumours <sup>9</sup>. </p><p>Mucinous neoplasms can lead to abdominal pain, gastrointestinal obstruction, and abdominal distension when evolving to a <a title="Pseudomyxoma peritonei" href="/articles/pseudomyxoma-peritonei">pseudomyxoma</a><a title="Pseudomyxoma peritonei" href="/articles/pseudomyxoma-peritonei"> </a><a title="Pseudomyxoma peritonei" href="/articles/pseudomyxoma-peritonei">peritonei</a>. </p><p><a title="Carcinoid syndrome" href="/articles/carcinoid-syndrome">Carcinoid syndrome</a> related to malignant neuroendocrine tumours is rare, present in less than 5% of patients with this tumour. </p>- +<p>There are a number of <strong>neoplasms that can involve the vermiform appendix</strong>, some of which are peculiar to this site.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Tumours involving the appendix have been found in only about 1% of all appendectomy specimens <sup>9</sup>. Epithelial neoplasms and <a href="/articles/gastrointestinal-neuroendocrine-tumours-3">neuroendocrine tumours</a> represent the vast majority of the tumours affecting the <a href="/articles/appendix-1">appendix</a>. </p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Symptoms may vary from patients being completely asymptomatic, such as in small benign neuroendocrine tumours, to a clinical picture of <a href="/articles/appendicitis">acute appendicitis</a>, which is reported in ~40% of cases and is most commonly seen associated with neuroendocrine tumours <sup>9</sup>. </p><p>Mucinous neoplasms can lead to abdominal pain, gastrointestinal obstruction, and abdominal distension when the complication <a title="Pseudomyxoma peritonei" href="/articles/pseudomyxoma-peritonei">pseudomyxoma peritonei</a> has developed.</p><p><a href="/articles/carcinoid-syndrome">Carcinoid syndrome</a> related to malignant neuroendocrine tumours is rare, present in less than 5% of patients with this tumour. </p>